One More Time

by Aurora Rose Reynolds

  For the next five hours, I direct them where to place things, leaving the stuff for the living room in the entryway and kitchen, since the walls still need to be painted and carpet still needs to be laid. After they finish, I give them a couple hundred dollars for a tip, which means they leave smiling while I’m exhausted. Everything has been placed where it belongs, but all the boxes still need to be unpacked, my bed needs to be put together, and everything needs to be put away. It’s going to take me weeks if not months to get everything sorted.

  With a sigh, I head to the fridge to grab a Diet Coke, and since the couch is literally in the kitchen, I fall into it and put my feet up. After drinking half my soda, I set the can on the ground and rest my head back against the armrest, planning on just closing my eyes for a few minutes.

  “Aria.” A warm hand touches my cheek, and I blink my eyes open, finding Tide with his face a few inches from mine. “Hey, you didn’t answer when I knocked,” he tells me as I sit up.

  “What time is it?”

  “Almost six.” He takes a seat on the couch next to me.

  “Seriously?” I search for the clock in the kitchen, sure he’s lying. I’ve never been the kind of person to nap in the middle of the day, regardless of how tired I am, and I sure as heck have never slept for five hours after sleeping the night before.

  “Seriously.” His lips twitch, and then he pulls his eyes from mine and looks around. “I see your stuff got here today.”

  “Really, how did you know?” I grab my soda off the ground, listening to him laugh as I stand. “Now I just need to unpack everything,” I tell him as I take the can to the sink and dump what’s left down the drain before tossing it into the recycle bin. When I turn around, I find him studying me but ignore his stare and continue talking. “If you’re okay, I’m going to start unpacking my bedroom and bathroom, since I can’t really get the kitchen unpacked with all the furniture in here.”

  “Do you want help?”

  “Help?” I feel my brows drag together.

  “Help unpacking shit.” He pushes off the couch and steps toward me. “I should be done painting and with the carpet by Friday. I could help you this weekend.”

  “Umm….”

  “You can pay me with dinner.”

  “Dinner?”

  His lips tip up ever so slightly. “Dinner. You know, that meal you eat after lunch.”

  “I know what dinner is, but are you sure you want to help me?”

  “My daughter is with her mom this weekend, so either I’ll be here helping you, or spending time with my buddy Colton and his wife. And they make me want to puke with how cute they are together.”

  “Colton married Lisa?” I ask, remembering Colton, his best friend from high school, and his longtime girlfriend Lisa, who was not very nice at all but still managed to be one of the more popular girls in school.

  “How do you know Colton?” He frowns, his gaze searching mine.

  “I….” Oh God, I don’t want to tell him who I am but know I can’t lie either. “We went to school together.

  His eyes narrow and the lines between his brows grow deeper. “Colton and I were tight through high school, and I don’t remember you.”

  Probably because I was about thirty pounds lighter from starving myself, I think, but don’t say. Instead, I mumble, “Yeah, we didn’t exactly hang out with the same crowd.”

  “Holy fuck.” His eyes widen as he takes a step away from me like I might somehow contaminate him. “Aria Spencer, I thought you looked familiar, but—” His gaze roams over me from my hair to my toes, making me feel uncomfortable. “—I didn’t put two and two together.”

  “Yep, that’s me.” I flap my arms out by my sides, wishing I could somehow vaporize and disappear into thin air. “So Colton and Lisa got married after all, huh?” I attempt to change the subject.

  “Fuck no, Lisa is a bitch. His wife’s name is Gia. She just moved to town not long ago.”

  “Oh… well…” I lick my lips. “Good for him.”

  “Yeah,” he mutters, looking like he’s trying not to laugh. I shift on my feet, not sure what to do, then he grins, making me brace. “So off-limits Aria Spencer is back in town.”

  “Off-limits?”

  “Babe, all through high school, every guy new you were off-limits.”

  “I don’t even know what that means.” My nose scrunches.

  “It means we all knew you were too good for any of us, so we kept our distance.”

  Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Yeah, but it’s still true.” He shakes his head. “Shit, I should have realized it was you when I saw your eyes.”

  “My eyes?”

  “Your big, blue doe eyes are hard to forget.”

  “Oh,” I mutter, not sure that’s exactly a compliment.

  “So, about this weekend…?” he prompts, making the butterflies in my stomach come to life.

  “This weekend?”

  “Unpacking.” His lips tip up.

  “Right.” I glance around at the boxes and furniture surrounding us. I don’t even want to unpack, so I have a hard time believing he wants to do it when he doesn’t have to. “Are you sure you want to help me?”

  “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”

  “Well.” I lick my lips. “Okay, I would appreciate your help.”

  “That’s good, since I was gonna show up here even if you said no.” He chuckles, and I start to laugh, then cover my stomach when it growls so loud I’m surprised the walls don’t shake. “Have you eaten today?”

  “Umm…” I try to remember. “I don’t know. It was a crazy day.”

  “That probably means no.” He pulls his cell out of his pocket, dropping his eyes to it as he turns on the screen. “I haven’t eaten dinner. How about I order us Chinese?”

  “Oh.” I lick my lips again. “Sure.” I shrug, and he smiles, putting his phone to his ear.

  “What are you in the mood for?”

  “Chicken and pineapple fried rice,” I say, and he gives me a look that states clearly he’s grossed out. “What? It’s good.”

  “I’ll take your word on that,” he says right before I listen to him rattle off our order, and then he shoves his cell into his pocket. “Should be about twenty minutes. Grab your shoes you can ride with me to pick it up.” He turns away, and I blink at his back then look down, seeing my oversized T-shirt, leggings, and bare feet.

  Ride with him, like in his truck? Alone?

  I must stand here for longer than I realize, trying to come up with a reason I can’t go with him, because when he comes back into the kitchen, he frowns. “Ari, we gotta go. Unless you wanna eat cold Chinese.”

  “Right.” I rub my lips together. “I’ll be right back.” I don’t wait for him to respond before I turn on my heel and head upstairs. When I get to my bedroom, I grab my tie-dyed hoodie and put it on over my shirt then slip on a pair of flip-flops before grabbing my purse and heading back downstairs. I find Tide in the living room, squatting down and inspecting the cans of paint he brought over yesterday. “Ready,” I say, and he turns to look at me over his shoulder then stands to his full height with such grace it’s almost fascinating to watch.

  “Let’s go.” He pulls his keys from his pocket and walks to the front door, holding it open for me to step out before him. Once we’re on the porch, I lock up then head for his truck. Surprising me, he opens my door and waits for me to be fully seated before he shuts it. By the time he slides behind the wheel, I’ve buckled myself in and am holding my purse like a lifeline, not sure what to do with my hands.

  “You need to get a security system for your place,” he says as he circles around the group of tall trees in the middle of the front yard and heads down the drive toward the main road. “You’re a woman living alone, so you should be taking precautions.”

  “I’ve already set up an appointment. The security company couldn’t come until I set up the internet, and I didn’t want to d
o that until I got my TVs and computer,” I inform him, annoyed that just like everyone else, he thinks I’m incapable of taking care of myself. I know it shouldn’t bother me, but it does, which means I can’t help the sigh I let out as I turn to look out the window.

  “Ari?”

  “Yeah.” I hold my bag a little tighter against my stomach that is dancing with butterflies from being this close to him, and I turn to look at him.

  “I’d tell my sister the same thing.”

  “Mmhmm,” I mumble, shifting in the seat, feeling uncomfortable being shoved in the same category as his sister, especially when I’ve woken up more than once in the middle of the night panting from dreams of us together that are in no way PG.

  “Babe.”

  “Yeah?” I hold my breath waiting for him to say more.

  “Never mind.” He shakes his head before focusing on the road. We drive the rest of the way in silence, and when we get to the Chinese place, he runs in and comes back out a few minutes later with a bag full of food, handing it over to me.

  My stomach growling and the music playing softly are the only sounds in his truck as he drives back to my house until we pull into my driveway and I see a Mercedes Benz parked out front. “Oh no,” I groan as the headlights to his truck land on my parents standing on the porch. And even knowing it’s stupid, I pull my hoodie up over my hair and duck down in my seat in an attempt to hide.

  “They already saw you,” he informs me, sounding like he’s smiling as he shuts down the engine, causing the interior of the cab to turn black.

  “I know.” I glare at him, even though I doubt he can see my narrow-eyed look through the dark. “I’m attempting to use my magical powers to teleport me to a different dimension.”

  “Shit, did you forget your teleportation amulet?” He chuckles.

  “Shut up.” I laugh, sitting up and unbuckling my seatbelt.

  “That’s your mom and dad, right?” he asks, sounding suddenly somber, and I nod.

  “Yeah,” I whisper.

  “I’m guessing you weren’t expecting them.”

  “No.” I let out a deep breath. “I told them I would have them over for dinner once I had my furniture delivered. I didn’t think they would show up today.” I watch him look out the windshield and know he recognizes both of them by his sour expression. The look on his face doesn’t surprise me. My parents are well known in town, and not because they’re the kind of people who leave a lasting positive impression on those they come across.

  “It will be all right. Maybe they won’t stay long.” He reaches for his door handle, and panic fills my chest. There is no way I want to subject him to even a moment of my parents’ presence.

  “Wait.” I reach out quickly and grab his arm, stopping him. “I…” I clear my throat. “I think you should just go.”

  “Go?” he repeats, sounding pissed or hurt, I don’t know which, and it doesn’t help that I can’t read his expression.

  “It’s just—”

  “You don’t have to explain. I get it. You can’t be seen with the help.” He lets go of the door, and I release my hold on his arm like he burned me.

  “Tide.”

  “Go on inside, Aria.” He starts the engine of the truck and looks out the windshield.

  I stare at his profile for a moment, silently begging him to look at me, and as the seconds tick away, anger curls in my belly. “Just so you know, I think it’s really jerkish that you’re thinking the worst of me without giving me a chance to explain.” I set the bag of food on the seat between us, refusing to look at him when he calls my name as I get out and slam his door. His headlights light the way to my porch, and only when I reach the bottom step do they reflect against the siding as he drives away.

  “Who was that?” my dad asks in greeting, his and Mom’s eyes focused over my shoulder.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask, ignoring his question and the slight slur of his words that lets me know he’s had a few drinks this evening.

  “We came to check on you and bring you dinner.” Mom turns to face me, her nose scrunching as her gaze roams over me from my head to my toes. “I hope you weren’t in town dressed like that.”

  “I was.” I don’t tell her that I didn’t get out of the truck. Part of me just wants to annoy her. Another part of me wants to throw it in her face that she no longer has control over me.

  “If you ever want to find another husband, you really should present yourself in a better manner,” she informs me, pulling her Fendi handbag that probably cost a small fortune up over her shoulder. As always, my mother is impeccably put together from her dark dyed hair that is pulled away from her botoxed face in a tight twist, to her black flats with a golden Fendi F embroidered across the top. They match her bag and belt, with black slacks and a pressed white button-down shirt that I’m sure is covered in enough starch to make wrinkles run for cover.

  “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m not looking for a husband.” I roll my eyes, hearing my dad snort like he’s fighting back laughter. My eyes meet his, and when I see his warm smile, I wish it was real. I wish his smile and the warmth behind it was genuine, but it’s not. My dad while drinking is sweet, funny, and kind, but that’s not who he really is. Sober, he is ruthless, cold, unforgiving, and callous. Jekyll and Hyde have nothing on him. Where my mother is upfront with her disapproval, my father hides his while drinking, but always remembers when he sobers up.

  “Do not encourage her, George,” Mom snaps as I walk toward the door, digging my key out of my purse.

  “She’s funny, Beatrice,” he mumbles as I shove the key in the lock and push the door open, flipping on the lights before going inside.

  “I thought you paid for movers,” Mom says, following me inside, disapproval clear in her tone as I walk the few steps to the kitchen.

  “I did.” I drop my bag on the couch and turn to face her as she glances around.

  “And you allowed them to leave your furniture in your kitchen and hallway?”

  “The living room is being painted, and carpet is being put in. I didn’t see the point of having the furniture being placed in there when it would only have to be taken right back out,” I inform her, wondering if I’m going to have to look for a different contractor after what happened with Tide tonight. My heart sinks at the thought of not seeing him again.

  “That makes sense, honey,” Dad says as he walks around the house, taking everything in. “It’s smaller than yours and Josh’s house in San Francisco,” he points out when his eyes meet mine.

  “Yeah,” I agree, not having much else to say. The house Josh lived in was big, bigger than most newlyweds need, but we bought that house when my focus was on starting a family of my own. At a time when I truly thought I was in love, that I was loved in return. As much as I wish I had a child of my own, I’m glad Josh was set on waiting to try, even if at the time his decision killed me a little. It wasn’t that I wanted a family with him; it was that I wanted a family, period, a family to belong to, a family to belong to me.

  “Have you spoken to him?” Dad asks, taking a seat on the couch in the kitchen and placing a bag I didn’t notice before now on the cushion next to him.

  “No, we have nothing to talk about.” I lean back against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “He told me he’s called you,” Mom says with a sigh that grates against my nerves. “He’s worried about you.”

  “I doubt that. From what our mutual acquaintances have said, he’s dating and living his best life.”

  “He’s a single man. You can’t fault him for dating.”

  “Mom, I don’t care what he does.” I try to keep my tone neutral, when all I want to do is scream.

  “Of course you care. You loved him.”

  I didn’t… I don’t even think I know what love is. Every relationship I’ve had in my life has been toxic and filled with stipulations. Do this and I’ll love you. Act like this and I’ll love you. Buy me this and I’ll lo
ve you. No one has ever just loved me for me, loved me despite my faults and weaknesses.

  “Beatrice, you need to let that go. She and Josh will get back together if they are meant to be, but not before that,” Dad says, and I want to ask him if he thinks he and Mom are meant to be, even after all the times Mom has explored relationships with other men both sexually and emotionally during their thirty-something-year marriage.

  “At least tell me that you’re still planning on coming to our end of summer party, even with Josh being there.”

  Oh God, how could I forget their party? A party that has happened every year since I can remember. A party my ex insisted we attend while we were together. And a party that of course my mom would invite him to, even now that we’re divorced. “I’m not sure. It depends on my deadlines.” I lie since at this moment I don’t have any.

  “It’s one night. I’m sure you can find a way to make it work.” She glances down at her watch then looks around. “Now, show us around. Your dad and I have dinner plans with friends.”

  After biting back a curse, I show her and my dad around the house and vow to order some sage tomorrow to rid the space of their vibes.

  Chapter 5

  Tide

  WALKING INTO THE Rusty Rose, I head right for the bar, needing a beer and to clear my head after what went down with Aria. Honestly, I don’t know what the fuck happened. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did when she told me I should leave. She obviously wasn’t happy about her parents being at her place, but it didn’t change the fact that I was pissed and let it show.

  Growing up here, I’ve known the Spencer’s my whole life, and they have never hesitated to judge or belittle any and everyone they come across. I’m sure Aria was trying to save me from being in their presence, but in that moment, it felt like she was embarrassed to be seen with me. The worst part is, it shouldn’t have fucking mattered if she was embarrassed; she’s not my girl. We don’t really know each other. I’m working on her house, nothing else—at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

  “What’s up, man?” Colton bumps his fist against mine as I take a seat on the stool across the bar from him. “I thought you said you were working tonight.”